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9.2.07

Rafa Benitez responds to Steve Gibson

Surprisingly, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez decided to respond to Middlesbrough chief Steve Gibson about his negative words against his club's contribution to English football.

We mus remember that Gibson defended Steve McClaren by saying that English football is suffering the side-effects of having arguably the most successful league in the world, where teams agendas often conflict with national concerns. In fact, he expressed:"The Liverpools and the Arsenals, what do they contribute at national level?"

So, Rafa Benitez answered: "It is very easy to answer this, I just say Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Peter Crouch, and Jermaine Pennant. They were all in the England team this week.

"And we also have Scott Carson with the England Under-21s. We have more English players than many teams, and we are working to develop English young talent through our Academy and the reserves.

"As you can see, I am trying for a mix of good English and Spanish players, but everybody understands the English market.

"Indeed, we are working hard to bring English players through and I hope we can, but if you want to win things you have to try for the best if they are not available at the right price in England and Europe."